Some electrochemical aspects of grinding media corrosion and sphalerite

Abstract

Electrochemical aspects of the interaction between grinding media and minerals in ore grinding are shown by the corrosive wear of a hypersteel ball material and by changes in floatability of a sphalerite mineral. Rest potential, combination potential, galvanic current and mixed polarization measurements were used to study the electrochemical behaviour of sphalerite and the hypersteel grinding medium. Prior galvanic contact between the sphalerite mineral and the grinding medium was found to affect adversely the floatability of the mineral. This adverse effect was more pronounced when sphalerite was in contact with the grinding medium without an activator or collector and under oxygenated conditions. Possible electrochemical mechanisms involved are outlined.